The SEK-4500 has rolled out to various parts of Europe and other parts of the world including Australia and although we have been able to piece together most of the information Samsung failed to tell consumers in their almost non-existent technical specifications, there are still a couple of items we find mystifying as they relate to HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 required on the TV/OCB/SEK HDMI port that the 2018 SEK-4500 Evolution Kit is hooked up to in order to play ‘real’ 4K HDR protected content from a device such as a UHD Blu-ray for example.
Technical information
Quad Core Processor
Double DVB-T2 / C / S2 tuner with PVR capability
CI slot (v 1.4)
2018 Smart Hub + SmartThings App Supp.
3 HDMI ports QuickSwitch / HDMI CEC (v2.0)
2 USB ports (v2.0)
Bluetooth LE (+ BT Audio)
WiFi support (+ Multiroom link)
LAN 10 / 100Mbps
Optical Audio Out
TV connection via HDMI
VP9.2
Note: Specifications may vary according to country. For example, from what I know some SEKs only include a single tuner or none at all or no PVR capability
Limitations
No ARC
No USB 3.0 port
No DTS Codec
No IR Out port
Does not support UHD Video Pack content
No Component or Composite (A/V) connection outputs
Through testing we have been able to determine that the SEK-4500 supports VP9.2 and have added that to the Technical Specifications above but it does not appear to support HDR10+ or HLG which makes sense since none of the compatible TV's have HDMI 2.0b ports.
And on November 15th, 2018 the SEK-4500 is being advertised on the USA website...
Up until recently there has been much debate whether or not the SEK-4500 connects via HDMI rather than the Evo Kit port on the rear of the TV on some of the various support forums. Although some of us have known this for awhile now, we finally have something in writing from Samsung in the way of a Spec Sheet that puts that matter to rest once and for all where in the small print it says:
If you look below here are a couple of pictures of the rear of the new SEK-4500 Evolution Kit where you can see for yourself that the Display-Port end plugs into the SEK-4500 while the HDMI end plugs into the TV, One Connect Box, or existing Evolution Kit where applicable.
Rear of SEK-4500
Closeup of Display-Port (EVK Connect) on SEK-4500
Comparison with past One Connect Boxes and the SEK-3500 Evolution Kit
We have put together a matrix comparing the original One Connect Box included with the 2014 HU9000, the original One Connect Box included with the 2015 JS series, the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit, and the 2018 SEK-4500 Evolution Kit. You can view the current version in this post...
Important: Without the SEK-3500, other than the 2015 series, the HDMI ports on the list of compatible TVs were only HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 1.4 which were not capable of HDR as it requires HDMI 2.0a. To add to that only 1 port on the 2014 HU series was HDCP 2.2 compliant which happens to be the HDMI(MHL) port which Samsung's instructions tell you not to use when hooking up the SEK-4500.
If you are interested in learning more about the 2015 SEK-3500 (which is similar in design to the original One Connect Box delivered with the 2015 JS series) as it relates to HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 click the spoiler tag below...
HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2
Here is the most definitive article I could find on the subject of HDMI that includes the quote that follows:
So if I were to rewrite that same quote from the perspective of HDR here is how it would read:
Search the internet for "HDMI 2.0a" and you can find quite a few articles including an article from Wikipedia that will tell you that "HDMI 2.0a was released on April 8, 2015, and added support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video with static metadata" or this one that concludes with the following statement:
Here is a quote from an AVS Forum member who I would consider one of the most knowledgeable when it come to HDR which agrees with what many of us pioneers on the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution thread were saying behind the scenes who weighed in as follows:
HDMI - False Positives
What we have discovered is that the SEK-4500 will trigger "false positives" if it is connected to a TV, One Connect Box, or past Evolution Kit that does not support HDMI 2.0a. What this means is that it will give the appearance that it is outputting HDR by maxing out the Backlight & Contrast but that wouldn't be possible unless the SEK-4500 is plugged into a TV/OCB/SEK that supports HDMI 2.0a required for HDR.
Only a few TVs on Samsung's list of compatible TVs support HDMI 2.0a and according to CNET those were Samsung's SUHD TV's which didn't arrive until 2015. As a result Samsung introduced the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit which upgraded the ports on compatible TVs to HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 amongst other things.
One of our testers has the 2014 SEK-2500 Evolution Kit that did not support HDMI 2.0a connected to his F9000 so how is this possible...
UBD-K8500 (HDMI 2.0a) ==> SEK4500 (HDMI 2.0a) ==> SEK2500 (HDMI 2.0) ==> TV
...which maxes out the Backlight and Contrast giving the appearance that the TV is receiving HDR?
As discussed in the previous section all devices from source to “sink” must support HDMI 2.0a to pass HDR. Has Samsung discovered a method to magically change the HDMI ports in the 2014 SEK-2500 Evolution Kit to HDMI 2.0a via software? If so then why did I need to buy a 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit for my flagship 2014 HU9000 to get HDMI 2.0a when Samsung said it was not possible to upgrade our TVs via firmware? As a matter of fact the instruction manual for the SEK-4500 makes no mention of having to do a software update on the TV/OCB/SEK you are hooking it up and spcifically states “When connecting this product to your existing UHD TV, you do not need to run the UHD Evolution Kit Backup function (MENU > System > UHD Evolution Kit Backup) on the existing UHD TV“ like we have had to do in the past when hooking up an Evolution Kit.
HDCP 2.2 - Mystery
Another can of worms is the fact that Step 3 in the SEK-4500's installation instructions says "Do not connect to either an HDMI (ARC) or HDMI (MHL) port" yet the only port that supports HDCP on the 2014 models (without the benefit of a 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit) is the HDMI (MHL) port according to the HDMI Connection page so again, just like the conversation we had regarding HDMI 2.0a where we discussed an end-to-end "chain", how is it possible to watch High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) content on that TV if the SEK-4500 is plugged into an HDMI port that doesn't supports HDCP?
According to this article titled Meet HDCP 2.2 it states "While DRM (digital rights management) encrypts the content itself, HCDP secures the cable between the source and the “sink”—the TV, monitor, or the video projector that display the content." and goes onto say "In order to watch copy-protected Ultra HD content--be it on a disc, a download, or via an over-the-top stream—you’ll need HDCP 2.2 compatible devices at every link in the signal chain.". Further to that as this FAQ for the SEK-3500 will tell you, otherwise “the picture will just be sent through in HD” if a port doesn’t support HDCP.
And just to avoid a bunch of guessing games, yes I am aware of the HDFury discussed in post 124 I would prefer to avoid guessing games where a member suggested that "this box is considered as part of TV, so Samsung probably get certification for it as an end point" to which I responded to in post 129, I think the onus is on Samsung to tell us is the HDCP 2.2 content being "stripped" or is it being dumbed down to HD by the device feeding the SEK-4500 which is normally the case when a device is plugged into an HDMI port that doesn't support HDCP 2.2.
HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 - Trickery!
Just to make damn sure we didn’t receive a software update along the way that had magically upgraded the HDMI ports to HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 on our pre-2015 TV/OCB/SEK I ran some extensive tests on my HU7000 in this illustrated post:
I try my best to explain what Samsung might be doing to make it “appear” that owners of pre-2014 are viewing 4K HDR protected content when in fact I don’t believe they are for a couple of reasons:
Review
Here is a link to the only known English speaking review at flatpanelhd posted on their site in September, 2018…
Unfortunately the reviewer never laid their hands on a unit and is still “chasing details”!
Pictures
I have included some thumbnails below of an actual SEK-4500/XC from a member in Finland who ended up returning it.
But hold on to your hats guys, although it has been reported you can't use your old remote take a look at what happens when you do!
I have coined this the Dual O/S since instead of having only 3 ports you end up having the use of the ports on the SEK Evo Kit or the original One Connect Box you plugged the new SEK-4500 into!
You can find more pictures of the first owner on this thread meeting his new SEK-4500 for the first time (who kept it rather than returning it) by checking out Post 54.
Installation
Unlike past Evolution Kits like the SEK-2500, the SEK-3500 , or the original One Connect Boxes provided with flagship models, the new SEK-4500 does not use the One Connect port on the TV. Rather it plugs into an HDMI port on the back of the TV using a cable that plugs into the EVK Connect port on the SEK-4500. Unfortunately for owners of flagship TVs like the JS9500 or HU9000 or F9000 for example that don't come equipped with HDMI ports on the back of the TV this means you need to plug the SEK-4500 into the original One Connect Kit as pictured below....
But you won't find any mention of that in the installation manual nor will you find out how Samsung outputs a picture when connected to a device that doesn't support HDMI 2.0a or HDCP 2.2 but you will find some wiggle words on the page titled "03 Limitations on Evolution Kit Installations" including these:
Manuals
Installation Manual - Samsung Evolution Kit SEK-4500
English, Danish, French, German, Norwegian, Portugese, Spanish, Swedish
User Manual - Samsung Evolution Kit SEK-4500
English
Support Websites
Samsung - Visit Your Country or Region
The following are translated links to some of Samsung Support Community websites where the release of the SEK-4500 has occurred or is imminent...
Samsung Support - Italy
Samsung Support - France
Samsung Support - Germany
Samsung Support - United Kingdom
If anyone has direct links to the Samsung Community forums in Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Finland I would appreciate the links as these would probably have the most to offer since, from what I recall, these were the first to receive the rollout.
General Forums
And here are a couple of translated links to forums that have sprung up that might be of interest...
HIFI-FORUM.de in Germany
Whirlpool in Australia
Logitech Remote
And here is a link to the Logitech Remote thread requesting codes for the SEK-4500 where one owner has described it as follows...
Logitech Remote thread
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
This is all we know so far so I encourage you to do your homework by spending some time reading this thread especially post #2 that includes the Comparision Chart. I would also urge you to review some of the posts on various forums and reviews on Samsung’s international sites and you will find that generally speaking the SEK-4500 hasn’t been well received for a variety of reasons — most notably when guys learned that it doesn’y use the Evo Kit port in the back of the TV and needs to connect to an HDMI port... which for most supported TVs would be a port that does not support HDMI 2.0a or HDCP 2.2.
Before investing in a new Evolution Kit that may in fact be a step backwards for some of us who already own the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit or the original One Connect Box provided with the 2015 JS series and have other equipment such as a Chromecast Ultra or a 4K Computer that brings us the necessary VP9.2 codec required for YouTube 4K HDR for example. One of my favourite devices which has almost entirely replaced the Smart Hub is the addition of an Apple TV 4K with over 8,000 apps (compared to less than 350 available on Smart Hub) and access to a ton of 4k content including current 4K HDR movies that can be rented for as little as 99 cents! It even includes a Gigabit Ethernet port!
And if it turns out that you would need to own both an 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit and a 2018 SEK-4500 to obtain real HDR to overcome the 'false positives' and the HDCP 2.2 mystery then that money might be better spent on a future replacement of your TV to obtain a panel that offers more features and brighter NITS to take advantage of High Dynamic Range.
Technical information
Quad Core Processor
Double DVB-T2 / C / S2 tuner with PVR capability
CI slot (v 1.4)
2018 Smart Hub + SmartThings App Supp.
3 HDMI ports QuickSwitch / HDMI CEC (v2.0)
2 USB ports (v2.0)
Bluetooth LE (+ BT Audio)
WiFi support (+ Multiroom link)
LAN 10 / 100Mbps
Optical Audio Out
TV connection via HDMI
VP9.2
Note: Specifications may vary according to country. For example, from what I know some SEKs only include a single tuner or none at all or no PVR capability
Limitations
No ARC
No USB 3.0 port
No DTS Codec
No IR Out port
Does not support UHD Video Pack content
No Component or Composite (A/V) connection outputs
Through testing we have been able to determine that the SEK-4500 supports VP9.2 and have added that to the Technical Specifications above but it does not appear to support HDR10+ or HLG which makes sense since none of the compatible TV's have HDMI 2.0b ports.
And on November 15th, 2018 the SEK-4500 is being advertised on the USA website...
Up until recently there has been much debate whether or not the SEK-4500 connects via HDMI rather than the Evo Kit port on the rear of the TV on some of the various support forums. Although some of us have known this for awhile now, we finally have something in writing from Samsung in the way of a Spec Sheet that puts that matter to rest once and for all where in the small print it says:
Even that could be misconstrued that they mean the port on the rear of the TV but as we have come to learn by pictures submitted by members, the Display-Port they are referring to is on the SEK-4500, not the Evo Kit Connection port on the rear of the TV.
If you look below here are a couple of pictures of the rear of the new SEK-4500 Evolution Kit where you can see for yourself that the Display-Port end plugs into the SEK-4500 while the HDMI end plugs into the TV, One Connect Box, or existing Evolution Kit where applicable.
Rear of SEK-4500
Closeup of Display-Port (EVK Connect) on SEK-4500
Comparison with past One Connect Boxes and the SEK-3500 Evolution Kit
We have put together a matrix comparing the original One Connect Box included with the 2014 HU9000, the original One Connect Box included with the 2015 JS series, the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit, and the 2018 SEK-4500 Evolution Kit. You can view the current version in this post...
Important: Without the SEK-3500, other than the 2015 series, the HDMI ports on the list of compatible TVs were only HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 1.4 which were not capable of HDR as it requires HDMI 2.0a. To add to that only 1 port on the 2014 HU series was HDCP 2.2 compliant which happens to be the HDMI(MHL) port which Samsung's instructions tell you not to use when hooking up the SEK-4500.
If you are interested in learning more about the 2015 SEK-3500 (which is similar in design to the original One Connect Box delivered with the 2015 JS series) as it relates to HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 click the spoiler tag below...
An online retailer has prepared an 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit FAQ that includes the following information:
2015 Samsung SEK-3500U/ZA Evolution Kit
In addition there is an entire thread dedicated to a SEK-3500 on AVS Forum located here:
2015 Samsung SEK-3500U/ZA Evolution Kit
HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2
Here is the most definitive article I could find on the subject of HDMI that includes the quote that follows:
So if I were to rewrite that same quote from the perspective of HDR here is how it would read:
Here is a table from that article. If you run your eyeball down the column titled HDR you will see that you need HDMI 2.0a to support High Dynamic Range (HDR) as well as Wide Color Gamut (WCG).
Search the internet for "HDMI 2.0a" and you can find quite a few articles including an article from Wikipedia that will tell you that "HDMI 2.0a was released on April 8, 2015, and added support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video with static metadata" or this one that concludes with the following statement:
Here is a quote from an AVS Forum member who I would consider one of the most knowledgeable when it come to HDR which agrees with what many of us pioneers on the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution thread were saying behind the scenes who weighed in as follows:
Bottom Line: It's not only the fact that the new SEK-4500 supports HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2, equally important is that the older TV/OCB/SEK you are connecting it to must also support HDMI 2.0a (required for HDR) and HDCP 2.2 (required to watch 4K copy protected content). In other words unless you are connecting the SEK-4500 to a 2015 JS series or a 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit it won’t produce ‘real’ HDR because none of the Samsung TVs created before 2015 supported HDMI 2.0a because it hadn’t been invented yet! In a similar manner if the HDMI port you plug the SEK-4500 into doesn't support HDCP 2.2 there can be no assurance that the 4K picture isn't being converted to 1080p.
HDMI - False Positives
What we have discovered is that the SEK-4500 will trigger "false positives" if it is connected to a TV, One Connect Box, or past Evolution Kit that does not support HDMI 2.0a. What this means is that it will give the appearance that it is outputting HDR by maxing out the Backlight & Contrast but that wouldn't be possible unless the SEK-4500 is plugged into a TV/OCB/SEK that supports HDMI 2.0a required for HDR.
Only a few TVs on Samsung's list of compatible TVs support HDMI 2.0a and according to CNET those were Samsung's SUHD TV's which didn't arrive until 2015. As a result Samsung introduced the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit which upgraded the ports on compatible TVs to HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 amongst other things.
One of our testers has the 2014 SEK-2500 Evolution Kit that did not support HDMI 2.0a connected to his F9000 so how is this possible...
UBD-K8500 (HDMI 2.0a) ==> SEK4500 (HDMI 2.0a) ==> SEK2500 (HDMI 2.0) ==> TV
...which maxes out the Backlight and Contrast giving the appearance that the TV is receiving HDR?
As discussed in the previous section all devices from source to “sink” must support HDMI 2.0a to pass HDR. Has Samsung discovered a method to magically change the HDMI ports in the 2014 SEK-2500 Evolution Kit to HDMI 2.0a via software? If so then why did I need to buy a 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit for my flagship 2014 HU9000 to get HDMI 2.0a when Samsung said it was not possible to upgrade our TVs via firmware? As a matter of fact the instruction manual for the SEK-4500 makes no mention of having to do a software update on the TV/OCB/SEK you are hooking it up and spcifically states “When connecting this product to your existing UHD TV, you do not need to run the UHD Evolution Kit Backup function (MENU > System > UHD Evolution Kit Backup) on the existing UHD TV“ like we have had to do in the past when hooking up an Evolution Kit.
HDCP 2.2 - Mystery
Another can of worms is the fact that Step 3 in the SEK-4500's installation instructions says "Do not connect to either an HDMI (ARC) or HDMI (MHL) port" yet the only port that supports HDCP on the 2014 models (without the benefit of a 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit) is the HDMI (MHL) port according to the HDMI Connection page so again, just like the conversation we had regarding HDMI 2.0a where we discussed an end-to-end "chain", how is it possible to watch High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) content on that TV if the SEK-4500 is plugged into an HDMI port that doesn't supports HDCP?
According to this article titled Meet HDCP 2.2 it states "While DRM (digital rights management) encrypts the content itself, HCDP secures the cable between the source and the “sink”—the TV, monitor, or the video projector that display the content." and goes onto say "In order to watch copy-protected Ultra HD content--be it on a disc, a download, or via an over-the-top stream—you’ll need HDCP 2.2 compatible devices at every link in the signal chain.". Further to that as this FAQ for the SEK-3500 will tell you, otherwise “the picture will just be sent through in HD” if a port doesn’t support HDCP.
And just to avoid a bunch of guessing games, yes I am aware of the HDFury discussed in post 124 I would prefer to avoid guessing games where a member suggested that "this box is considered as part of TV, so Samsung probably get certification for it as an end point" to which I responded to in post 129, I think the onus is on Samsung to tell us is the HDCP 2.2 content being "stripped" or is it being dumbed down to HD by the device feeding the SEK-4500 which is normally the case when a device is plugged into an HDMI port that doesn't support HDCP 2.2.
HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 - Trickery!
Just to make damn sure we didn’t receive a software update along the way that had magically upgraded the HDMI ports to HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 on our pre-2015 TV/OCB/SEK I ran some extensive tests on my HU7000 in this illustrated post:
I try my best to explain what Samsung might be doing to make it “appear” that owners of pre-2014 are viewing 4K HDR protected content when in fact I don’t believe they are for a couple of reasons:
- None of the HDMI ports on the pre-2015 TV/OCB/SEK are HDMI 2.0a which is required for HDR
- Only one HDMI port on the 2014 sets is HDCP 2.2 compliant and that is the one marked HDMI(MHL) which the SEK-4500 installation instructions specifically tell you NOT to use
Review
Here is a link to the only known English speaking review at flatpanelhd posted on their site in September, 2018…
Unfortunately the reviewer never laid their hands on a unit and is still “chasing details”!
Pictures
I have included some thumbnails below of an actual SEK-4500/XC from a member in Finland who ended up returning it.
But hold on to your hats guys, although it has been reported you can't use your old remote take a look at what happens when you do!
I have coined this the Dual O/S since instead of having only 3 ports you end up having the use of the ports on the SEK Evo Kit or the original One Connect Box you plugged the new SEK-4500 into!
You can find more pictures of the first owner on this thread meeting his new SEK-4500 for the first time (who kept it rather than returning it) by checking out Post 54.
Installation
Unlike past Evolution Kits like the SEK-2500, the SEK-3500 , or the original One Connect Boxes provided with flagship models, the new SEK-4500 does not use the One Connect port on the TV. Rather it plugs into an HDMI port on the back of the TV using a cable that plugs into the EVK Connect port on the SEK-4500. Unfortunately for owners of flagship TVs like the JS9500 or HU9000 or F9000 for example that don't come equipped with HDMI ports on the back of the TV this means you need to plug the SEK-4500 into the original One Connect Kit as pictured below....
But you won't find any mention of that in the installation manual nor will you find out how Samsung outputs a picture when connected to a device that doesn't support HDMI 2.0a or HDCP 2.2 but you will find some wiggle words on the page titled "03 Limitations on Evolution Kit Installations" including these:
- The actual performance may vary depending on the model specifications and hardware performance.
- The Evolution Kit may not support some apps and functions that were available on the Samsung TV.
- The Evolution Kit outputs pictures in the optimal resolution of the Samsung TV it is connected to.
Manuals
Installation Manual - Samsung Evolution Kit SEK-4500
English, Danish, French, German, Norwegian, Portugese, Spanish, Swedish
User Manual - Samsung Evolution Kit SEK-4500
English
Support Websites
Samsung - Visit Your Country or Region
The following are translated links to some of Samsung Support Community websites where the release of the SEK-4500 has occurred or is imminent...
Samsung Support - Italy
Samsung Support - France
Samsung Support - Germany
Samsung Support - United Kingdom
If anyone has direct links to the Samsung Community forums in Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Finland I would appreciate the links as these would probably have the most to offer since, from what I recall, these were the first to receive the rollout.
General Forums
And here are a couple of translated links to forums that have sprung up that might be of interest...
HIFI-FORUM.de in Germany
Whirlpool in Australia
Logitech Remote
And here is a link to the Logitech Remote thread requesting codes for the SEK-4500 where one owner has described it as follows...
Logitech Remote thread
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
This is all we know so far so I encourage you to do your homework by spending some time reading this thread especially post #2 that includes the Comparision Chart. I would also urge you to review some of the posts on various forums and reviews on Samsung’s international sites and you will find that generally speaking the SEK-4500 hasn’t been well received for a variety of reasons — most notably when guys learned that it doesn’y use the Evo Kit port in the back of the TV and needs to connect to an HDMI port... which for most supported TVs would be a port that does not support HDMI 2.0a or HDCP 2.2.
Before investing in a new Evolution Kit that may in fact be a step backwards for some of us who already own the 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit or the original One Connect Box provided with the 2015 JS series and have other equipment such as a Chromecast Ultra or a 4K Computer that brings us the necessary VP9.2 codec required for YouTube 4K HDR for example. One of my favourite devices which has almost entirely replaced the Smart Hub is the addition of an Apple TV 4K with over 8,000 apps (compared to less than 350 available on Smart Hub) and access to a ton of 4k content including current 4K HDR movies that can be rented for as little as 99 cents! It even includes a Gigabit Ethernet port!
And if it turns out that you would need to own both an 2015 SEK-3500 Evolution Kit and a 2018 SEK-4500 to obtain real HDR to overcome the 'false positives' and the HDCP 2.2 mystery then that money might be better spent on a future replacement of your TV to obtain a panel that offers more features and brighter NITS to take advantage of High Dynamic Range.